David Paul Zeh, 64, was born in Wichita, KS, on July 22, 1958. He departed us on November 23, 2022, in Hutchinson, KS, where he had lived for about 35 years. David completed his education at McCollum Elementary, Hadley Junior High, Wichita West High in 1976, and Wichita State University in Business Accounting. Following high school, David’s passion to see the world led him to join the United States Navy. He was assigned to a nuclear submarine based in Groton, CT, as a cook, and eventually ended his service as an officer quarters chef on an aircraft carrier with an honorable discharge.
David had several passions. He never met a dog or cat he didn’t like and he couldn’t say ‘no’. David’s soft heart for animals led to several rescued dogs and cats. His household was frequently a crowded and loving boarding house for animals. David was an ardent follower of Wichita State University athletics, especially basketball, and always had an opinion on the direction of their program. He truly loved his Kansas City baseball and football teams. Furthermore, David continued to practice the cooking skills he eagerly mastered in the United States Navy. He took a lot of pride in his poker prowess. David’s persistence finally paid off when he earned an invitation to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, NV.
His curiosity and ambition led him in several directions during his career. David was a tax accountant and a guard at the Kansas State Penitentiary. After a short while in Hutchinson, he convinced the local bank to loan him the money to purchase several apartments. With renovation completed, he proudly became the landlord of 15 units.
David is survived by his friend of 25 years and wife of 7 years, Kathleen, and son, Brandon. Others left to fondly tell David stories are his 98-year-old father, Paul, and older sibling, Ken. David’s deceased brother, Randy, left him with a sister-in-law, Sandra Zeh, and niece, Shalay. On his wife’s side of the family are sister-in-law, Lou Ann, and brothers-in-law, Vin and Jay.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Diane Zeh, and a brother, Randy.
A Celebration of Life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), 328 N. Van Buren Street, Hutchinson, KS. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2022, and Friday, December 2, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Hutchinson, or the Kansas Honor Flight, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. The memorial donations would have pleased David since he would often meet his other “family” at the VFW.
He faced death and his mortality as he did his life, with courage, pride, and acceptance.